Outdoor furniture stabilizer

ABSTRACT

A stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture includes first and second sides and first and second ends, the sides together with the ends defining an outer periphery of the stabilizer. The stabilizer further has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with a subjacent supporting surface. The stabilizer further has a receiving portion adapted to receive and support an associated first furniture part having a first cross-sectional shape and separately an associated second furniture part having a second differing cross-sectional shape. The receiving portion is defined by an aperture elongated in a length dimension of the stabilizer and extending through the stabilizer. The stabilizer further has first and second mounting holes extending through the stabilizer and adapted to receive fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the subjacent supporting surface.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is generally directed to a stand or stabilizer for mounting outdoor furniture (e.g., umbrellas, flags, chair legs, patio table legs) to a support surface (e.g., a deck) to prevent the movement of the furniture and stabilize the furniture, for example, during poor weather.

By way of example, umbrellas, or other pole supported furniture, for use on a deck are generally mounted in stands which sit flat on the deck's surface. Due to the umbrella's shape, wind often produces extreme upwardly and laterally directed forces against the umbrella. These forces, in turn, will frequently cause the umbrella and stand to be blown from their original position, possibly causing damage to an adjacent structure (e.g., a house). The traditional solution to this problem is to make the stand out of a very heavy material, or to fill a hollow stand with sand, rocks, or other like granular material. While preventing the umbrella and stand from being blown around, this solution creates other problems. For instance, because the stand is of such extreme weight, many people are not strong enough to move it from one location on the deck to another. Nor are many people able to remove the stand from the deck to place it in storage, or elsewhere. Similar issues arise with other related outdoor furniture for use on decks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

According to one aspect, a stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprises first and second sides and first and second ends, the sides together with the ends defining an outer periphery of the stabilizer. The stabilizer further has an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface. The stabilizer further has a receiving portion adapted to receive and support an associated first furniture part having a first cross-sectional shape and separately an associated second furniture part having a second differing cross-sectional shape. The receiving portion is defined by an aperture elongated in a length dimension of the stabilizer and extending through the stabilizer. The stabilizer further has first and second mounting holes extending through the stabilizer and adapted to receive associated fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface.

According to another aspect, a stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprises a generally rectangular shaped body having first and second sides and first and second ends. The body further has an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface opposite the upper surface. An entirety of the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface. The body further has a receiving aperture elongated in a lengthwise direction of the body and adapted to receive and support an associated furniture part. The body further has first and second mounting holes adapted to receive associated fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface. The first and second mounting holes are positioned between a vertical line tangent to each end of the receiving aperture.

According to yet another aspect, a stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprises an elongated body having first and second sides and first and second ends. The body further has an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface. The body further has a receiving aperture elongated in a lengthwise direction of the body and adapted to receive and support an associated furniture part. The body further has first and second mounting holes adapted to receive associated first fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface. The first and second mounting holes are located adjacent the first and second ends and at opposite corners of the stabilizer. The mounting holes are further positioned between a vertical line tangent to each end of the receiving aperture. One of the first and second sides of the body includes a threaded hole extending into the receiving aperture. The threaded hole is adapted to receive an associated second fastener for engaging the associated furniture part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary stabilizer for outdoor furniture according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the stabilizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the stabilizer of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views of the stabilizer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stabilizer of FIG. 1 supporting an associated first furniture part having a first cross-sectional shape; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the stabilizer of FIG. 1 separately supporting an associated second furniture part having a second differing cross-sectional shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are merely illustrative and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structures disclosed without departing from the present disclosure. In general, the figures of the exemplary outdoor furniture stand or stabilizer are not to scale. It will also be appreciated that the various identified features of the exemplary outdoor furniture stand or stabilizer disclosed herein are merely terms of art that may vary from one manufacturer to another and should not be deemed to limit the present disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate an exemplary stabilizer 100 for use with outdoor furniture F₁, F₂ (fragmented in FIGS. 6 and 7) according to the present disclosure. The stabilizer 100 can be fabricated from a strong, rigid plastic (metal materials could be used as well), and includes a body 102 having first and second sides 104, 106 and first and second ends 108, 110. The sides 104, 106 together with the ends 108, 110 define an outer periphery of the stabilizer 100. As depicted, the body 102 is generally rectangular shaped; although, alternative shapes (e.g., square, circular or oval) for the body are contemplated. The body 102 further has an upper surface 114 and a lower 116 surface opposite the upper surface 114. The lower surface 116 is adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface S (e.g., a deck). According to one aspect, each of the upper and lower surfaces 114, 116 can be substantially planar. According to another aspect, the entirety of the lower surface 116 is planar, thereby allowing the entirety of the lower surface 116 to be positioned in contacting relationship with the associated subjacent supporting surface S. Further, the upper surface 114 can have a chamfered or beveled peripheral edge portion 120, although, this is not required.

The stabilizer 100 further has a receiving portion 124 adapted to receive and support a part of the first outdoor furniture F₁ (which can have a first cross-sectional shape) and separately a part of a second outdoor furniture F₂ (which can have a second differing cross-sectional shape). By way of example only, the part of the first outdoor furniture F₁ can be an end portion of a pole of a conventional deck umbrella having a substantially circular cross-section, and the part of the second outdoor furniture F₂ can be an end portion of a leg of a patio chair having a substantially rectangular cross-section. In the depicted embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, the receiving portion 124 is defined by an aperture 126 extending through the body 102 of the stabilizer 100. The aperture 126 is sized and shaped so that any part of outdoor furniture which is to be received into the aperture 126 will fit “tightly,” i.e. so that no significant lateral “play” or relative movement between the outdoor furniture part and the aperture 126 is possible. According to one embodiment, the aperture 126 is formed centrally on the body 102 and is elongated in a length dimension of the stabilizer 100. For example, the aperture 126 can be substantially rectangular-shaped. In the depicted embodiment, the aperture 126 is obround-shaped (i.e., a shape consisting of two semicircles connected by parallel lines tangent to their endpoints). Again, regardless of the particular aperture shape, it should be appreciated that the aperture 126 is dimensioned slightly larger than each part of the respective first outdoor furniture F₁ and second outdoor furniture F₂ to permit the part to be force fit therein. Further, it should be appreciated that the stabilizer 100 can be sized so that the depth of aperture 126 is sufficient to prevent the end portion of an umbrella pole, for example, from tipping over and falling out of stabilizer 100.

The body 102 of the stabilizer 100 further has at least two mounting holes. As shown, first and second mounting holes 130, 132 (which can be countersunk) extend through the body 102. The first and second mounting holes 130, 132 are adapted to receive associated fasteners 134 (which may be any type of mechanical fastening device commonly known in the art) for releasably mounting the stabilizer 100 to the associated subjacent supporting surface S. As depicted, the first and second mounting holes 130, 132 are located on opposite ends of the aperture 126. More particularly, the first and second mounting holes 130, 132 are located at opposite corners 140, 142 of the stabilizer 100, the first mounting hole 130 being located at the corner 140 defined by the intersection of first side 104 and first end 108 and the second mounting hole being located at the corner 142 defined by the intersection of second side 106 and second end 110. By having the first and second mounting holes 130, 132 located at opposite corners 140, 142, the stabilizer 100 can be securely attached to the associated subjacent supporting surface with only two fasteners. However, it should be appreciated that additional mounting holes can be provided on the stabilizer 100.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the location of the first and second mounting holes 130, 132 relative to the aperture 126 will now be described. As indicated above the aperture 126 can obround-shaped and is formed centrally on the body 102 of the stabilizer 100. According to this embodiment, a first line 150 orthogonal to a longitudinal centerline 152 of the aperture 126 and tangent to a first end 154 of the aperture 126 is approximately aligned with a center of the first mounting hole 130, and a second line 160 orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline 152 of the aperture 126 and tangent to a second end 164 of the aperture 126 is approximately aligned with a center of the second mounting hole 132. More particularly, in the depicted embodiment, the centers of the respective first and second mounting holes 130, 132 are positioned between the tangent lines 150, 160 define by the first and second ends 164, 164 of the aperture 126 (i.e., the center of mounting hole 130 is offset inwardly from the tangent line 150 and the center of mounting hole 132 is offset inwardly from the tangent line 160).

To further secure each part of the respective first outdoor furniture F₁ and second outdoor furniture F₂ within the aperture 126 one of the first and second sides 104, 106 of the body 102 includes a threaded hole 168 extending into the aperture 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the threaded hole 168 is centrally located in a lengthwise direction on the first side 104 and a center axis of the threaded hole 168 is oriented orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 152 of the aperture 126. The threaded hole 168 is adapted to receive an associated second fastener 170 (e.g., a set screw) for engaging (i.e., tighten against) a surface of the associated first or second furniture part located within the aperture 126. It should be appreciated that in addition to the threaded hole 168, the second side 106 can include a similar threaded hole for another second fastener.

As is evident from the foregoing, the exemplary stabilizer 100 includes the receiving aperture 126 formed centrally on the body 102. The receiving aperture 126 is configured to receive a portion of the outdoor furniture, for example, a leg of a patio char or a pole of an umbrella. In some embodiments, the receiving aperture 126 can be configured in a different shape and/or size than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7. The stabilizer 100 also includes at least two mounting holes 130, 132 for receiving fasteners 134 (e.g., screws) to attach to a deck surface. Additionally, the stabilizer 100 includes a threaded hole 168 for receiving a set screw 170, used to tightly secure the stabilizer 100 to the furniture part received in the aperture 126.

It will be appreciated that various implementations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims. 

1. A stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprising: first and second sides and first and second ends, the sides together with the ends defining an outer periphery of the stabilizer, the stabilizer further having an upper surface and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface, and further having a receiving portion adapted to receive and support an associated first furniture part having a first cross-sectional shape and separately an associated second furniture part having a second differing cross-sectional shape, the receiving portion being defined by an aperture elongated in a length dimension of the stabilizer and extending through the stabilizer, and further having first and second mounting holes extending through the stabilizer and adapted to receive associated fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface.
 2. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting holes are located at opposite corners of the stabilizer.
 3. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first mounting hole is located at a corner of the stabilizer define by intersection of the first side and first end, and the second mounting hole is located at another corner of the stabilizer defined by intersection of the second side and second end.
 4. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the aperture is obround-shaped and is formed centrally on the stabilizer.
 5. The stabilizer of claim 4, wherein a first line orthogonal to a longitudinal centerline of the aperture and tangent to a first semi-circular end of the aperture is approximately aligned with a center of the first mounting hole.
 6. The stabilizer of claim 4, wherein a second line orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline of the aperture and tangent to a second semi-circular end of the aperture is approximately aligned with a center of the second mounting hole.
 7. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein a first line orthogonal to a longitudinal centerline of the aperture and tangent to a first end of the aperture is approximately aligned with a center of the first mounting hole, and a second line orthogonal to the longitudinal centerline of the aperture and tangent to a second end of the aperture is approximately aligned with a center of the second mounting hole.
 8. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein the first and second mounting holes are positioned between a tangent line, wherein the tangent line is a vertical line tangent to each end of the receiving aperture.
 9. The stabilizer of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second sides includes a threaded hole extending into the aperture, the threaded hole adapted to receive an associated second fastener for engaging the associated first or second furniture part.
 10. The stabilizer of claim 9, wherein the threaded hole is centrally located in a lengthwise direction on the one side.
 11. The stabilizer of claim 9, wherein a center axis of the threaded hole is oriented orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the aperture.
 12. A stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprising: a generally rectangular shaped body having first and second sides and first and second ends, the body further having an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface opposite the upper surface, an entirety of the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface, the body further having a receiving aperture elongated in a lengthwise direction of the body and adapted to receive and support an associated furniture part, and the body further having first and second mounting holes adapted to receive associated fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface, the first and second mounting holes are positioned between a tangent line, wherein the tangent line is vertically tangent to each end of the receiving aperture.
 13. The stabilizer of claim 12, where the receiving aperture is adapted to receive and support an associated first furniture part having a substantially circular cross-section and separately an associated second furniture part having a substantially rectangular cross-section.
 14. The stabilizer of claim 12, wherein one of the first and second sides of the body includes a threaded hole extending into the receiving aperture, the threaded hole adapted to receive an associated second fastener for engaging the associated furniture part.
 15. The stabilizer of claim 12, wherein the aperture is obround-shaped and is formed centrally on the stabilizer.
 16. The stabilizer of claim 12, wherein the first and second mounting holes are located at opposite corners of the stabilizer.
 17. A stabilizer for use with outdoor furniture comprising: an elongated body having first and second sides and first and second ends, the body further having an upper planar surface and a lower planar surface opposite the upper surface, the lower surface being adapted to be positioned in contacting relationship with an associated subjacent supporting surface, the body further having a receiving aperture elongated in a lengthwise direction of the body and adapted to receive and support an associated furniture part, and the body further having first and second mounting holes adapted to receive associated first fasteners for releasably mounting the stabilizer to the associated subjacent supporting surface, the first and second mounting holes are located adjacent the first and second ends and at opposite corners of the stabilizer, the mounting holes being positioned between a tangent line, wherein the tangent line is a vertical line tangent to each end of the receiving aperture, and one of the first and second sides of the body including a threaded hole extending into the receiving aperture, the threaded hole adapted to receive an associated second fastener for engaging the associated furniture part.
 18. The stabilizer of claim 17, where the receiving aperture is obround-shaped and adapted to receive and support an associated first furniture part having a substantially circular cross-section and separately an associated second furniture part having a substantially rectangular cross-section. 